Fr. Etheredge: Our Own Hometown Hero

Our very own principal here at ACC, Rev. Fr. William Etheredge, was honored with the Hometown Hero award by Mayor Tom Weisner at the halftime of the Friday, December 5 basketball game against St. Edward. This special award is presented to those in Aurora who make positive contributions to the city.

Central Times: How does it feel to be one of Aurora’s Hometown Heroes and to know how well-respected and recognized you are here in Aurora?

Fr. Etheredge: It was a surprise to get a call from the Mayor’s office about the award. It was really nice, and I’m pleased for the school.

CT: Were you surprised when you found out you were the recipient of this award?

Fr.: I was very surprised. I thought it was a joke! I think they really wanted to tie it in with our school’s 40th anniversary and my 25th anniversary.

CT: If you could say one thing about receiving this honor, what would it be?

Fr.: I’m very humbled and delighted for our school, because they’re really recognizing it.

CT: Will we get off of school next year on December 5th for the annual Fr. Etheredge Day?

Fr.: I think we should’ve had the 5th off! I think we should get a day off or do something special down the road, but next year, December 5th falls on a Saturday.

As quoted by Mayor Weisner in the Tuesday, December 2 edition of the Beacon News, “Father Etheredge works diligently for the spiritual and academic development of children and young adults. He consistently demonstrates his faith with kindness and humility, and generally embodies the traits we all strive to inspire in our young adults.”

In 2008, as Aurora Central Catholic celebrates its 40th anniversary of the conjoining of Madonna and Roncalli High Schools, Fr. Etheredge celebrates the milestone of his 25 years as an ordained Catholic priest. Father always leads by example on how to act in a Christian way and to look out for not just ourselves, but others, too.